48 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 75 



Phyllostomus hastatus 

 Big Spear-nosed Bat 



Big spear-nosed bats are known from Honduras to Brazil (Fig. 33). The Costa 

 Rican subspecies, Phyllostomus hastatus panamensis, is found throughout Central 

 America. 



This widespread species has been reported from a number of habitats. Roosting 

 sites include caves, hollow trees, buildings, termite nests, thatched roofs, and foliage 

 (Tuttle 1976). Like other members of the genus, P. hastatus feeds on a wide variety 

 of items including insects, small vertebrates, fruit, flowers, nectar, and pollen (Gard- 

 ner 1977). Wilson (1979) suggested a geographically variable reproductive pattern 

 with some populations monestrous and others bimodally polyestrous. 



We captured a single, nonreproductive adult female at La Selva on 1 August 

 1988 in the clearing around the field station. Although this species is presumed 

 to be widespread in Costa Rica, there are few published records or specimens from 

 the country. Starrett and de la Torre (1964) reported two specimens from Tur- 

 rialba. LaVal and Fitch (1977) captured one individual at La Selva. 



Specimens examined (2)— Finca La Selva, 3 km S of Puerto Viejo, 70 m 

 [2 males, LACM]. 



Fig. 33. Big spear-nosed bat, Phyllostomus hastatus. Photo by B. L. Clauson. 



